Delta teachers rally against kidnappings, demand safety for all

Teachers in Delta State took to the streets on Tuesday as part of a nationwide protest organized by the Nigeria Union of Teachers. They are speaking out against the rising number of kidnappings and attacks on schools and teachers across Nigeria.

The peaceful rally started around 9 am at the Teachers’ House on DLA Road, Asaba. This action was in line with a directive from the national leadership of the teachers' union.

Teachers from all 25 local government areas of the state marched to the Government House in Asaba. They sang songs and held placards demanding the immediate release of teachers and students who had been kidnapped, especially those taken in Oyo State.

The protest was led by Comrades Poubeni Dickson and Dan Basime, the Delta State Chairman and Secretary of the NUT.

Dr Kingsley Emu, Secretary to the State Government, spoke to the protesters on behalf of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. He praised the teachers for their peaceful conduct despite the serious issues they raised.

Emu recognized the pain and worries of the teachers. He assured them that the state government is committed to ensuring safety for all. He said that insecurity is a national issue that affects everyone, regardless of their job or where they live.

“Insecurity is not a friend to anybody,” he stated. He added that the effects of insecurity reach not just the victims but also their families and the community.

The SSG mentioned a powerful plea from the husband of a kidnapped school principal in Oyo State. He said this plea shows the human cost of insecurity and its impact on families.

He assured the teachers that the government would keep working with security agencies to help free those who have been kidnapped and improve safety in the state.

The teachers explained that they organized the protest due to a rise in attacks on schools and education workers across the country. They recalled the kidnapping of the Chibok schoolgirls in Borno State in 2014 and noted that similar abductions have continued in places like Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, and Yobe, disrupting learning and creating fear among teachers and students.

The union warned that insecurity is no longer just a northern problem. They pointed to recent attacks in Oyo, Kwara, and Delta states as evidence of this growing threat.

They highlighted the killing of a teacher who was abducted in Oyo State and attacks on schools in Agbarho, Ughelli North Local Government Area, and Sapele in Delta State. These events show the serious risks educators now face in their work, which they say is unacceptable and a danger to the future of education.

The union also criticized the government's current measures, like hiring forest guards in some states. They believe these steps are not enough to deal with the level of insecurity affecting schools.

They called for better security around schools, improved intelligence gathering, community protection efforts, and better coordination among security agencies.

The teachers warned that if the government fails to secure the release of abducted colleagues and students, it could lead to more industrial action, including a possible nationwide school shutdown.

They stressed that the safety of teachers and students should be a top priority. No teacher should have to risk their life while educating children.

The protest followed several recent abductions, including the kidnapping of teachers and students in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and the abduction of many students in Borno State.